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Auction: 22003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 286

Six: Chief Petty Officer W. O'Brien, Royal Navy, who saw service at Jutland with H.M.S. Barham

1914-15 Star (J.36782. W. O'Brien. Boy. 1. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (J.36782 W. O'Brien. A.B. R.N.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (J.36782 W. O'Brien. P.O. H.M.S. Malaya), mounted as worn, the Trio rather worn, fine, remainder better (6)

William O'Brien was born at Clonakilty, Cork on 30 May 1898 and joined the Royal Navy on 30 March 1915 with the rank of Boy Class II. Advanced to the rank of Boy Class I he was stationed with H.M.S. Barham when she steamed with the rest of the British Fleet to meet the German High Seas Fleet off Jutland.

As part of the 5th Battlecruiser Squadron Barham came up behind the rest of Beatty's battlecruisers, entering the range of the High Seas Fleet later in the day at around 16:00. Their arrival caused a turning of the tide as Scheer himself noted stating:

'It was the English 5th Battle Squadron. This made the situation critical for our battle-cruisers. The new enemy fired with extraordinary rapidity and accuracy.'

With the 'run to the south' complete the British turned and commenced the 'run to the north', towards the Grand Fleet. An error in communications caused 5th Battlecruiser Squadron to commence this manoeuvre later than the other ships with the result that they came under heavier fire with Barham taking four hits at this stage. Despite forming part of the rear-guard she was able to maintain her positon and engaged the German Fleet fiercely. By the end of the battle she had taken six hits and along with Valiant was credited with 23-24 hits of her own, notably three on Grosser Kurfurst.

O'Brien reached his majority a month after the battle, on 1 July 1916, being appointed Ordinary Seaman. He remained with Barham until the end of the war and continued to serve, being promoted Petty Officer on 9 September 1927 and Chief Petty Officer on 26 August 1936.

Still serving during the Second World War he was stationed at the shore establishment H.M.S. Cochrane. Joining H.M.S. Drake on 24 October 1950 he was invalided from service in July 1954; sold together with copied service papers.

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Sold for
£400

Starting price
£220